Rock News

Journey guitarist sets date for solo album

The first of three side projects from Journey guitarist Neal Schon will arrive in stores this spring.

The rocker admits he recorded So U a couple of years ago, and it's been "on the shelf" for a while. He tells UltimateClassicRock.com it came about because he "got very comfortable" in the studio as he worked on his 2012 disc, The Calling. Neal explains that once he was done he "didn't want to leave," so he called Journey drummer Deen Castronovo and Thin Lizzy bassist Marco Mendoza to join him in the studio. He says "nothing was planned out at all," but they "just kind of winged it." So U will be in stores on May 20th.

Schon adds that his instrumental project with former Journey drummer Steve Smith and keyboardist Jan Hammer is also "ready to go." He says it'll be a two-disc set with more than 80-minutes of music, but doesn't mention a title or release date.

Schon is also planning to reunite with Santana for a new album. They're expected to begin work on Santana IV later this year.